Stearing gear repair

[Tom Richmond]

We are going to attempt to repair the bearing surface on a S55 stearing gear. We are going to use a comparitor to pick up the correct radius on the surface from the new bearing and then use a CNC lathe to clean up the shaft where the bearing runs using the information from the comparitor. Then we should be able to polish it to a good finish.

Has any one else done this?

Any advice out there?

 

[super 55]

Just curious.... do you have the equipment or are you paying to have this done? If you are paying, you might want to just replace that shaft. There is a Ford shaft that has the same gear and bearing surface, along with the block. If you are interested I could find the correct shaft in the old posts, but I am not sure which way would be cheaper. IF you go with the Ford shaft you will have to either machine the top of the steering shaft, because it is bigger diameter, or I had my shaft spliced onto the Ford shaft. That was easier than machining the shaft. My top end was still good.

 

[Tom Richmond]

I am doing this where I work.
This is kind of a experiment for time spent and results. We problably will not finish it before the first week in Dec. Then I will see how reassembly goes with reshimming and the results.
If it goes well I maybe looking for some cores.

 

[super 55]

Here is the link I posted ages ago. I used a Ford 600, but if you notice there is a fellow who had or has a couple of shafts for sale.
steering shaft